File photo of Australia's former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam. (Associated Press)
Sydney:
Australia's reformist Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, who lost power in a constitutional crisis in 1975, has been commemorated at a packed state memorial service at Sydney Town Hall.
Whitlam died at the age of 98 and was cremated in a private funeral last week. Thousands watched the service on Wednesday on outdoor television screens in Sydney and Melbourne.
His government lasted less than three years before it was dismissed by the then governor-general, representing Queen Elizabeth II, Australia's official head of state. Speakers recalled how his brief reign had transformed Australia.
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett recalled how she had benefited from free university education and free health care that the Whitlam government had provided as well as increased federal funding for the arts.
Whitlam died at the age of 98 and was cremated in a private funeral last week. Thousands watched the service on Wednesday on outdoor television screens in Sydney and Melbourne.
His government lasted less than three years before it was dismissed by the then governor-general, representing Queen Elizabeth II, Australia's official head of state. Speakers recalled how his brief reign had transformed Australia.
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett recalled how she had benefited from free university education and free health care that the Whitlam government had provided as well as increased federal funding for the arts.
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